Kabwe Warriors coach George Lwandamina has applauded his defender Dominic Chanda for saving his team by getting red-carded on Sunday in their away draw against Nkana.
It was their opening fixture of the 2022/23 Zambia Premier League season. Ten-man Warriors were fortunate to have left Kitwe with a 0-0 draw against the record 13-time Zambian champions at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe in a match the home team looked the favourite throughout for the three points.
Chanda was out-sprinted by Alex Ngonga in the 75th minute. The Chipolopolo Zambia defender quickly tracked back to pull down the goal-bound Nkana striker on the edge of the area, who only had Warriors goalkeeper Scott Ngokane to beat.
Just after Chanda was sent off by referee Audrick Nkole, Lwandamina stood up from the bench for the first time during the match to applaud Chanda’s bravery.
“That was exceptional and intelligent because that guy (Ngonga) was going,” Lwandamina said.
“He realised that they had made the mistake, so to cover up for the mistake, he had to do what he did.
“He sacrificed for the team… actually ..for the betterment of the team.” Meanwhile, the match also marked Lwandamina’s first match back in the ZPL after spending two seasons at Tanzanian club Azam FC.
The veteran former Chipolopolo coach’s previous job ZPL posting was at nine-time champions Zesco United, where he won four league titles.
Meanwhile, FC Muza played a 1-1 draw against Green Buffaloes as Lumwana Radiants won 3-1 over Green Eagles.
Chambishi fell 0-1 to Zanaco, with Zesco starting the season with a 1-1 draw against Prison Leopards.
The affair between Forest Rangers and Kansanshi Dynamos ended goalless while Nkwazi succumbed to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Power Dynamos.
Red Arrows played a goalless draw when they took on Napsa Stars.
